Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Cathy
The holidays are now upon us and that means big fancy meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) it can feel overwhelming and draining. With some planning, you can navigate this season without risking your health.
Preparing a big dinner is time-consuming and a LOT of work, the exact thing you don’t need. Having someone else prepare the meal is the best option, but what if you need or want to be involved? With some planning and adjustments, you can make it easier.
Follow these steps to navigate the holiday season stress-free.
Plan Ahead
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Being on a strict diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy what you eat. You just need to adjust the ingredients to fit your needs. Traditional holiday dinners are homemade but there are still ingredients you should avoid.
Foods to avoid:
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Refined sugar
- Artificial flavors and sweeteners
- Natural flavors
- Corn (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Soy (it’s mostly a GMO)
- MSG
- Canola oil (it’s mostly a GMO)
- Pork (it’s high in fat and prone to parasites)
- Farmed fish (it’s washed in toxic chemicals due to parasites)
- Processed citric acid (it’s mostly derived from corn)
When you’re making EVERYTHING from scratch it takes longer. Stay organized by planning your menu and budgeting your expenses. You want to keep your stress levels down and that includes financial stress.
Create a menu that has food you can enjoy. Look for recipes that are quick and easy and don’t require a lot of time or effort. Select recipes like roasted vegetables, cranberry salad, and fruit salad for dessert.
These are the dried cranberries I use: Vincent Family Dried Cranberries
If you are ordering a pasture-raised turkey now is the time! My husband and I don’t want to spend a fortune on an organic turkey so we roasted a chicken. Pasture-raised poultry have more nutrients and it tastes better. Plus, conventionally raised chickens are dipped in a chlorine solution during processing to kill bacteria.
Here are some tips to get prepared:
- Order your turkey now!
- Get a head count on how many people are showing up.
- Rent or buy a table and chairs. Better yet, save your money and borrow.
- Make a grocery list and start stocking up on nonperishable items. Watch for sales or clearance items. To save money on your grocery list check out How To Save On Natural Foods.
- It’s also a good time to buy ingredients for Christmas treats.
- Plan activities for the younger kids.
- Spot clean your house a week before.
- Plan on some rest time so you don’t overdo it.
- Ask for help.
Remember, what truly matters is spending time with your friends and family.
Delegate Tasks
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Besides food, there’s another matter that most people don’t talk about. If you’re like me, you want your house clean before you have company. I’m talking super clean such as cleaning the carpet and baseboards. – You know, things you don’t normally clean regularly.
Cleaning alone is a major event on top of making a huge dinner. It’s a lot of hard work which can make symptoms such as fatigue and weakness worse. Do major tasks on different days – don’t do everything at once. If you need to, get your family to clean or hire a cleaning service.
During the meal preparation ask for help from friends or family members. They can help with cooking, table setting, or grocery shopping to ease your workload. Use online grocery pickup or delivery services so you don’t have to be in crowded stores.
Here’s a grocery list of non-perishable food items to consider:
- Almond flour, cassava flour, or coconut flour
- Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch
- Canned coconut milk
- Canned fruit (in natural juices) such as mandarin orange segments and tropical fruit salad
- Canned olives
- Canned pumpkin puree
- Dried fruits
- Dried herbs and spices
- Frozen fruit such as cranberries
- Fruit spreads such as apricot or black raspberries
- Frozen vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
- Maple syrup or raw honey
- Nut butter such as almond, cashew, or coconut
- Raw nuts such as sliced almonds and seeds such as chia seeds or flaxseeds (I grind my own using a seed grinder similar to this one Krups Seed Grinder)
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes, or yams
- Winter squash
Check out my Healthy Foods And Snacks page for more ideas.
The secret to an effortless holiday feast lies in asking for help and make-ahead recipes.
Invest In Kitchen Gadgets To Lighten Your Workload
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I’ve bought a lot of kitchen appliances in my life. There are a few I find valuable and use frequently such as my citrus juicer and NutriBullet. Look for kitchen gadgets that can save you time and energy.
Kitchen appliances are expensive but they make cooking a lot easier. Plus, don’t forget table linens, roasting pan, and table decorations. I own and enjoy battery-operated candles with a remote, these are the ones I own Flameless Candles. The lights around the candle, and the flickering “flame” create a nice ambiance.
Kitchen appliances that can make life easier:
- Citrus juicer – This is the one I own: BLACK+DECKER 32oz Citrus Juicer
- Dutch oven – This is the one I own to roast chicken: Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- High-speed blender – I own a Blendtec
- Instant pot
- Food processor – This is the one I own: Hamilton Beach
- Ninja Foodi – it’s an air fryer, pressure cooker, sautés, sears, slow cooks, steams, and more – I use this a lot for all kinds of meals
- NutriBullet – it makes dips, dressings, nut butter, nut milk, purées, sauces, smoothies, soup, and more – I use this every day!
- Slow cooker
Check out my Products to Make Life Easier With MS page.
Preparing For Dinner
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An effortless holiday feast doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor; it’s all about smart preparation. Depending on the size of your turkey it could take 3 or more days to thaw a frozen turkey. Make sure to put it on a large plate to keep it from making a mess in your refrigerator. It’s also an excellent time to create a cooking schedule. This will break down tasks into manageable steps over a few days leading up to your big meal. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed on the day itself.
Last year I was on a plant-based diet so I didn’t eat any meat during the holidays. The food we had was so incredibly delicious I didn’t miss it. I’m not saying that’s what you should do, I’m only pointing out that there are options.
For breakfast, we had sweet potato hash. We also had seasoned pumpkin seeds to munch on throughout the day.
Here’s what we ate at our last Thanksgiving dinner:
- Cinnamon delicata squash
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Green bean casserole
- Lemon roasted asparagus
- Maple roasted brussels sprouts
- Mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy
- Pumpkin pie smoothie
- Seasoned roasted root vegetables
- and for dessert – pumpkin pie and Huckleberry Coconut Whipped Cream (the recipe calls for huckleberries but you could also use wild blueberries)
A few days before your big holiday meal start getting ready. Pre-cut ingredients or buy pre-cut vegetables and fruits to save time and effort. You can also use frozen fruits and vegetables if fresh ones are too challenging.
Cook and freeze dishes in advance to reduce the cooking load on the day of the celebration. The more you do ahead of time means the less you have to do on the big day. Plan out which dishes to make early.
Holiday dishes you can make ahead:
- Cranberry sauce
- Maple brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes
- Mushroom gravy
- Peel and cut root vegetables the night before and store them in a bowl of water
- Soup
- Pies and other treats
An Effortless Holiday Feast
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Don’t let MS ruin your dinner preparations or enjoyment. Despite MS, there are many ways you can help take part in and enjoy the holidays. Ask family and friends to help, choose simpler recipes, and work ahead to reduce the workload.
Prepare extra portions so you have healthy leftovers to enjoy for a few days after the holiday. Don’t forget to include rest, before and after to conserve your energy. Remember that it’s important to communicate your needs and limitations.
Enjoy the festivities by cooking, setting the table, or simply being present. With careful planning and a dash of creativity, you can transform a traditional holiday dinner into an effortless holiday feast. This is a time for togetherness and cherished memories. Speaking up for yourself when you need help shows resilience.
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A Step-by-Step Guide to an Effortless Holiday Feast
